Wednesday, 19 September 2007

NEST EGG PROTECTION

The long queues at Northern Rock branches this week are worthy of comment. What is it that makes people panic about money even when they are given assurances by the Government that their funds are safe? Discounting the potential for a lack of belief in politicians’ promises, or the English phenomenon of joining queues because we appear to like standing in line, I think it’s something much more deep rooted. Money equates to security and we all need to know that our little nest eggs are safe

Inevitably in divorce cases panic arises in relation to money. Some clients deal with this by rushing to the bank and withdrawing everything; others seek to transfer it into the account of a close friend or relative, sometimes fabricating a debt or other apparently legitimate reason for the transaction. The trouble is that there is always a paper trail showing the movement of funds and this inevitably leads to some embarrassing or convoluted explanations.

Once upon a time I acted for a client. On the day his wife left him citing grounds for divorce that included his meanness towards her, he withdrew a substantial sum of money representing a quarter of his life savings from the bank, and donated it to a local charity in which his mother was an active fundraiser. Subsequently, in court, the Judge congratulated him on his altruistic nature but held that, as he could clearly afford to be generous and had no need for funds of this amount, he should give his wife an equivalent quarter and the remaining half should be divided equally between them!

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Judith Middleton

WELCOME

This blog comprises reflections on divorce, separation and associated topics by Judith Middleton who practised divorce law in Darlington as a partner at Latimer Hinksand latterly as a part-time consultant at Macks Solicitors, retiring in June 2014. The blog is written from a slightly different, frequently fictional, angle. It is intermingled with press releases and campaign material issued by Resolutionfrom her time as one of their Regional Press Officers.

Judith qualified as a solicitor in 1982 and was accredited as a family law specialist by Resolution. She also trained as a collaborative lawyer.

Although now enjoying a retirement of creativity and adventure, Judith hasn't completely given up blogging about divorce!

The views expressed are personal to her except where indicated otherwise; the blog breaches no confidences and on no account does it provide or even remotely resemble legal advice.

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About Me

I have swapped over 30 years in the legal profession for what I hope is a long and fulfilling retirement. I am now campaigning for Save the Children as a voluntary Community Champion, acting as Parish Clerk and enjoying time for creativity and adventure. . I am also the mother of 2 grown-up children (although they weren't that way when this blog started) and wife, of longstanding, to Outdoor Man; all three are referred to in this Blog.
Divorce is a traumatic process and I believe everyone deserves assistance that makes the process easier, if I have helped them smile along the route even better. Remember too that "fiction reveals truths that reality obscures." (Jessamyn West)